Stage three of the UAE Tour Women is the only mountain stage of the 2025 edition of the race, featuring the 10.7km climb of Jebel Hafeet. Before the ascent, the riders faced long stretches of exposed desert roads, with the potential for crosswind splits.
The day’s breakaway took time to establish, with no moves sticking before the first intermediate sprint at 45km, where GC contenders fought for bonus seconds. Longo Borghini finished fourth, while teammate Lara Gillespie prevented Juliette Labous and Pauline Ferrand-Prรฉvot from taking full points.
Eventually, Hannah Ludwig, Petra Zsankรณ, and Nora Jenฤuลกovรก formed the breakaway, gaining three minutes. However, their advantage began to erode 90km from the finish as the peloton prepared for potential crosswind attacks. The increased pace saw the trio caught with 78km remaining.
A further acceleration 67km from the finish saw a front split featuring Longo Borghini, Lorena Wiebes, Lily Williams, Pauline Ferrand-Prรฉvot, Chloe Dygert, and Elisa Balsamo. This group was reeled in 55km from the line.
Capitalising on the lull, Cofidis launched a move with Victoire Berteau and Amalie Dideriksen joining Marta Lach in a late attack. Their escape lasted until the base of Jebel Hafeet, where the elite climbers took control.
UAE ADQ set a relentless pace on the climb, thinning the group and setting up Longo Borghini for her solo assault. Persicoโs efforts ensured a decisive selection, while Antonia Niedermaier climbed strongly to secure the white jersey as Best Young Rider.
Elisa Longo Borghini surged into the overall lead of the UAE Tour Women with a commanding victory atop Jebel Hafeet. The Italian attacked 3.2km from the summit and soloed to victory, securing her first win for UAE ADQ in 2025.
Her teammate Silvia Persico ensured a dominant team display by sprinting to second place from a reduced group, finishing 36 seconds behind Longo Borghini. Kimberley Le Court claimed third, while Monica Trinca Colonel, Niedermaier, and Barbara Malcotti completed the top six.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyRider reactions to today’s tough stage
Longo Borghini took the red jersey from Wiebes, who struggled on the climb and was dropped earlier in the stage.
“We can really call it a masterpiece from Team ADQ,” said Longo Borghini at the finish. “Today we had a clear goal: victory and the red jersey. The whole team did an amazing job.”
Having positioned herself well in the crosswind-affected stage two, Longo Borghini was a strong favourite for the climb. The main challenge came from potential early-stage echelons, but UAE ADQ remained vigilant through the desert roads.
“There was a moment when Silvia and I were caught out,” Longo Borghini explained. “Elynor Bรคckstedt brought us back within seconds. Then the whole team set us up perfectly for the climb.”
Persico dictated the tempo on Jebel Hafeet, whittling the group of favourites to just nine riders, distancing Wiebes and other GC rivals including Labous and Pauline Ferrand-Prรฉvot.
With 5.5km remaining, Mavi Garcรญa attacked, prompting Longo Borghini to follow. The move was short-lived, and the group came back together before Persico resumed pace-setting. As Persico continued to apply pressure, Garcรญa, Dilyxine Miermont, and Nienke Vinke dropped back. This left just Borghini, Persico, Niedermaier, Malcotti, Trinca Colonel, and Le Court in contention.
Longo Borghini made her decisive move with 3.2km to go. “I felt comfortable the whole climb. When I knew it was the right time, I attacked,” she said. “This was a crazy day. I really wanted to win for the team, and also for a friend my family lost recently.”
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyWith one stage remaining, Longo Borghini holds a 2:09 lead over Persico and 2:11 over Le Court, making her the overwhelming favourite to secure the overall title.
“For sure, we want to win this Tour and defend the red jersey until the end. Tomorrow will be a nice day!”
Barbara Malcotti delivered what her team is calling a breakthrough result, finishing fifth. “Today feels like a victory after difficult years,” she said. “I had to get a result for my teammates after their hard work.”
The UAE Tour Women concludes with a flat stage around Abu Dhabi. While expected to be a sprint finish, past editions have shown that wind could still play a decisive role.
2025 UAE Tour Women Stage 3 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency
